Little Sympathy for Tax Debtor Casey Anthony

Posted by Terri Eyden on Feb 13 2013 2035 printer friendly

By Teresa Ambord

Here's one delinquent taxpayer who may not find many sympathizers as she works her way through bankruptcy proceedings – Casey Anthony. Anthony stood trial for murder after her two-year-old daughter disappeared in 2008 and was later found dead.

The toddler had been missing for more than a month without her disappearance being reported. Anthony was acquitted in 2011, but for many in the public, suspicion still surrounds her. Now Anthony is deeply in debt, including back taxes, and is seeking protection under Chapter 7 bankruptcy.

According to her statement, she has assets of about $1,100 and debts of $792,000 owed to about eighty creditors. Most of the unpaid bills are for legal, medical, psychiatric, and forensic consulting or services.

Here's a breakdown of what she owes:

$500,000 to her criminal defense attorney, Jose Baez.
$145,660 to the Orange County Sheriff's office for a judgment covering investigative fees related to her case.
$68,540 to the IRS for taxes, interest, and penalties.
$61,505 to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for court costs.

That's a lot of debt, but Anthony's financial troubles may only be beginning. She's also a defendant in several civil law suits. One of the cases is a defamation suit filed by Zenaida Fernandez-Gonzalez, who was unfortunate enough to actually have the same name as the nonexistent babysitter who was accused by Anthony of playing a part in her daughter's death.

Chapter 7 bankruptcy will give Anthony a fresh start, but it will not clear her tax debt. While trustees can sell her assets to pay some of her debt, her assets amount to almost nothing of value.

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Little Sympathy for Tax Debtor Casey Anthony

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Little Sympathy for Tax Debtor Casey Anthony

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